The Vacaville Skating Center was transformed into a wintry wonderland this weekend, comprised of a "forest" of Christmas trees hung with traditional red and green, purple, or the Oakland Raider's silver and black and every "theme" in between, dozens of trees were decked in preparation for this week's annual Festival of Trees.

Tonight's Festival of Trees Gala kicks off the three-day festival and silent auction, and is the largest fundraiser of the year for Vacaville's homeless shelter, Opportunity House.

Amid the mass of those scurrying about, elf-like, in preparation of the gala, were members of the Wild Horse Wranglers horse club.

For Gail Barnett, who was working to put the finishing touches on the group's John Wayne-theme tree, participating in the event was a first, she said.

Hung with boots, reindeer, horses, photos depicting "The Duke" printed on canvass and transformed into hand crafted ornaments and other odds and ends, the tree exuded Christmas spirit -- with an old West spin.

"We wanted to depict the wild horse spirit," she explained of the group's choice, noting that few things epitomize the cowboy image as well as John Wayne.

Like other participants, the group had been hard at work setting the tree up since 9 a.m. -- to say nothing of the days of preparation that went into creating the many hand-made ornaments carefully hanging from the branches.

Barnett said they planned to give everything -- Duke-decked pillows included -- a once over this morning, the last day contestants were allowed to make final tweaks.

The fact that the funds raised by the auction are going to the Opportunity House, Barnett said, was a primary factor in the group's involvement.

"They're a great organization," she said, adding that the Wild Horse Wranglers have been long-time donors to the shelter.

"They really help not just individuals, but families," she said. "I feel so fortunate to have a good job and a roof over my head and not have to worry about it."

However, because of the poor economy, families that would have merely had to tighten their belts a few years ago are finding themselves homeless, Barnett said. Opportunity House helps get "them restarted" and most importantly, she said, "It's giving right back to our community."

Armed with a glittery, leopard-print ornament, she finally selected the perfect spot on the tree, which was dedicated to the memory of her son-in-law, Kolby Lankford, who was killed in a tragic snowboarding accident in 2009. His death left Alexander's daughter, Ashley, 9-months pregnant with the couple's first child, Claire.

A number of the ornaments, including Alexander's most recent leopard-print addition, she said, were handmade by Lankford's mom in Oaklahoma, and shipped to Vacaville for the festival.

"It's just a way we can honor Kolby's memory," Ashley said and she made a few adjustments of her own to the tree.

Since her husband's death, decorating the tree has become a family tradition, often including the help of a few close friends.

"It's generations," said Alexander, noting that her own mother was there helping. "Usually someone has a vision (of what the theme should be)."

This year, the inspiration was drawn from the hand-made leopard ornaments made by Kolby's mom, she explained.

"This was her year," she added.

Although Claire, now 3, never had the chance to meet her father, Alexander said decorating the tree is "one of the ways for her to know him."

"It's a tree of love. And it's a tree of hope," she said.

Tickets for the gala are $75 per person, or $1,000 to reserve a table for 10. Following dinner and desert, attendees are invited to attend a dinner buffet featuring tasty treats and an array of wines from local wineries, followed by dessert an an opportunity to bid on four trees decorated exclusively for the gala.